City Comparison

High Point vs Providence

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

High Point

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$249,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,200
Median Income

Providence

Rhode Island
110
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$47,012
Median Income

The Verdict

23.6%

Living in High Point costs 23.6% less than Providence. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in High Point, you would need $98,214 in Providence.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
61
High Point
118
Providence
Groceries
96
High Point
105
Providence
Utilities
98
High Point
119
Providence
Transportation
92
High Point
102
Providence
Healthcare
101
High Point
112
Providence

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $98,214 in Providence.

Conversely, $75,000 in Providence equals $57,273 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Providence

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Providence's 118, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $310,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,500/mo in Providence, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 105 in Providence. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $499/month in Providence. High Point offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in High Point and 119 in Providence. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $476 in Providence. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 112 in Providence. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,200 in High Point and $47,012 in Providence. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $42,738 respectively. High Point residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,148/month to housing in High Point vs $1,097/month in Providence. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 23.6% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,214 in Providence, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Providence's is 118 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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